Teenage Infatuations

Alsurin · Post by **Alsurin** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 3:40 am

Alsurin drummed his fingers against the chair's leg, eyes now intently following all the Feir'dal movements. At last he would be able to witness this process himself! Discreet interviews with recipients and scribbled conjecture upon parchments could only take one so far. As one charged to give light to those veiled shadows, discovery of the true workings within this 'miracle' could well lay bare another precious gem. Yet, he almost hated to unmask this mystery. What a long while it had been since the drakkin had truly experienced helpless wonder! It would almost be a shame to once again know in which of the street magician's hands the coin lay. The summoner smiled, running a hand through his hair. By the gods, what a romantic he was quickly becoming.

Sineliniel · Post by **Sineliniel** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:58 am

Sineliniel watched the scene unfold with interest. Sineliniel had Fluffy bring in more chairs and motioned Stormfollower, Tortha and Cara to sit in them. The Koada`Dal returned to her seat next to Gilliadson and took his hand.

"My silence and is assured as well M'Lady if you so wish it."

Jetamio · Post by **Jetamio** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:53 am

Cara did not take the offered seat, she stayed back out of the way where she had a good view. She felt something important was about to reveal itself here, and somehow she felt that the druid was showing her on purpose, to show her there was another way.

Jetamio was much more comfortable when Zeph was released of his bindings. She saw the others sit and glanced at Cara breifly before returning her attention to Zeph. She closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath. It was now or never, and if she backed out now she would look a fool.

"I am the cure, my blood, it has done it before. You would need to take only a mouthful of my blood, which I will give you," she added quickly before he got any ideas of drinking right from her. She remembers back to that fateful day with Tensirea, when she had unwittingly allowed the vampire a drop of her blood for something. She remembered her friends reaction and frowned slighlty.
"You may not feel well, dizzy and lightheaded...and you will have visions, bloodmemories, of my life. Do not be alarmed at what you may see, and I'd prefer if you didn't pass them on. You will most likely fall asleep soon after."
She glanced towards the window at the setting sun as she spoke. "If all goes well, you will be mortal by sunrise."

Before she or he could bottle out, she went to the bar and came back with a small goblet, then took her small hunting knife from her belt and ran it accross her palm. A seconds hesitation, then she clenched her fist over the goblet, allowing a very small amount of blood to drip into the cup, barely even a mouthful. It had only taken two drops to cure Tensirea and she feared too much might destroy him outright.
She then placed the goblet before him and stepped back a couple of steps to watch. She had done her part, it was up to him now to make the final choice.

Gilliadson · Post by **Gilliadson** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:19 pm

Zeph looked at the gobblet momentarily and thought back on how his life had been since he had been turned. A cure finally! It was almost too good to be true. Finally to become mortal again. He had been chasing rumors of cures ever since his lover had turned him the night before they were to be wed. He had heard that there was a cure available in Jagged Pine but found the rumor to be false when he arrived there. He had just about given up hope and was prepared to starve himself to death in the back of that cave when the Paladin and the Elementalist had found him.

Zeph looked at the druid and smiled before taking the goblet and quafing down the contents.

"Let it be so."

D`Nar Vel`Dynn · Post by **D`Nar Vel`Dynn** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:44 am

The Teir`Dal lay on the top of the hill still keeping watch on the entrance to Surefall Glade. She knew the Sanguine was still inside. She could feel her presence even though another force tried to cover it up. After a while, she felt the presence of another of those wretched creatures only this one's presence seemed weaker. The rain came down on her but she did not move from her place.

Sineliniel · Post by **Sineliniel** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:58 am

The Koada`Dal sensed the excitement int he Drakkin Elementalist as intently watched the events taking place before them.

What part do you play in all of this my young friend? What is it here that you seek? Sineliniel thought.

Sineliniel watched Zeph as he drank the contents of the goblet.

"Put him in my room for the night, since the house is full. I will take the other bed in Gilliadson's."

Sineliniel looked toward Cara, knowing what she was and knew that she would have to have Fluffy guard her for the night if she stayed. She knew that if Cara made a wrong move, Fluffy would put a grip on her that only the Gods could break. The Golden-haired maiden smiled sweetly appearing quite child-like.

"The truth has the power to make one free."

The words still reverbrated in her mind. Part of the Truth behind Jetamio was now revealed at least to those present.

Her own truth would have to be brought to light soon as well but not in the presence of Cara.

Jetamio · Post by **Jetamio** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:29 pm

Her blood tasted like nothing he had tasted before. But before he could dwell long on its taste, images flickered through his mind. It was not uncommon to gleam thoughts and memories from those one drank from, but like her blood, her memories were powerful. Scenes of such joy as to make him want to leap, yet such overwhelming grief and sorrow that he wanted to cry.
As the visions came faster and more erratic he became lighheaded and dizzy, and was only vaguely aware of someone leading him to a room where he fell into a deep sleep of vivid dreams that no one would be able to wake him from until he was ready to wake.

~*~

Cara started awake again as the coals in the low burning fire popped. Every little noise woke her, so on guard was she. She looked over at the Elemental who never took its eyes from her and frowned. She felt a weight on her shoulder and looked to find Tortha sleeping against her. She could not help but smile softly, and there was no malice in it. She was also pretty sure that wherever the Drakkin was he was not asleep either. His excitement had even been sensed by the others. On the other side of the room, Jetamio sat by herself, her knees up to her chest and arms wrapped round them, staring into the fire. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears at whatever inner turmoil was plagueing her.
Cara sat for a moment, then pulled a small vial from her belt pouch. She drank the conents and then vanished from sight. She could not be sensed anywhere near the area.

Jetamio saw Cara vanish out of the corner of her eye but didnt move or otherwise acknowledge it. She continued to sit motionless, listening for any movement from upstairs and oblivious to most others in the room.

Alsurin · Post by **Alsurin** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:37 pm

Alsurin walked quietly down the stairs in a considerably, glad to have dry cloth against his skin. Yet, his expression seemed lit by something more then just comfort. Normally cold draconic eyes were now deep pools, stirred by any number of possible currents.

He paused beside the sleeping Tortha, now positioned somewhat awkwardly, as if someone had taken his pillow. Where was Cara? Surely the meek adder would be coiled around him during this lull? Frowning slightly, the magus moved his hands in a subtle pattern, the sound of whispered words barely carried through the silence. Pulling a blanket of azure cloth covered with intricate runic designs seeming out of the air, Alsurin draped it over his younger friend and shook his head slightly. Warded against extremes in temperature, mundane or otherwise, magi usually conjured such things to counter a frost wurm's breath or an efreet's searing blades. Yet, ....for this it would suffice.

Upon raising his gaze, Alsurin found his eyes locked within the green orbs of Sineliniel's servant. Strange, how did she manage to infuse it with such a capacity for expression? A useless cosmetic effect, but still impressive, not to mention slightly unnerving. Feeling foolish in addressing what he 'knew' to be heartless stone, the summoner decided to humor the Koda'dal, it was not as if it could do any harm. "My thanks for the clothing, um...Fluffy." Resisting the conflicting urges to either pat the golem on the head reassuringly or somehow impede that intense gaze, Alsurin made his way past the impassive druidess to regain his seat by the fire.

Sineliniel · Post by **Sineliniel** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:35 pm

Fluffy watched as Kalsari drank from the vial and disappeared. He made no move If he sensed that anyone was in danger, he would be quick to act. Since he was a being of air he had many times the agility and speed of any other creature. He knew that his mistress had placed wards upon the entrances of all the rooms so that nothing could enter, invisible or otherwise.

Fluffy watched as Alsurin moved by the fire after thanking him.

"I live to serve my Mistress, Master Alsurin. You are most welcome." Fluffy grinned.

Upstairs, Sineliniel was not resting well. The nightmare was upon her again. The Koada`Dal willed herself to peer through her Elemental's eyes and saw that Cara was gone. The maiden quietly got out of bed and slipped into a white silken night gown. She saw Gilliadson's music box sitting on the table between their beds. Sineliniel picked up the box, took the sleeping knight's hand and traced the rune on the top with his finger. Music emanated from the box, giving her a feeling of peace.

The music of the box gives to each who hears it what they need most at the time. In battle it makes me stronger, faster and more resiliant to damage. When I think of Mother it gives me comfort over the loss of her.

The music did not make her sleepy this time though. For some reason, she felt compelled to take the box downstairs. Sineliniel quietly left the room and went down to the main room with the box in hand. Tortha seemed fast asleep by the fireplace and Alsurin was sitting near by also in front of it. Jetamio seemed to be dealing with some inner turmoil. The Elementalist moved to Jetamio and took one of her hands in hers. Sineliniel set the box between them as the melody continued to play.

"Be at peace dear sister. Allow the music to soothe your soul. All will be well in the end." Sineliniel looked into the golden eyes of the druid and smiled warmly. After a few moments Sineliniel stood up and left the house, leaving Fluffy and the box behind. Fluffy was puzzled by this since his Mistress never went anywhere without him but he obediently stayed where he was. Sineliniel felt that Cara still lurked about but she needed to speak with Lady Verlaine alone.

D`Nar Vel`Dynn · Post by **D`Nar Vel`Dynn** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:02 pm

The Huntress kept her vigil into the night on the two sanguine she felt in Surefall. All of a sudden the stronger one of the two faded from her senses suddently as if she had taken a portal. The other one started to fade slowly over the night as if he was slowly turning back to being mortal.

Could there really be a cure to this curse?

D`Nar felt now that there was nothing else for her here and decided that she would catch up with the other sanguine eventually. D`Nar was a true huntress of almost infinite patience when it came to stalking her quarry.

Kalsari felt different than any other Sanguine that the Huntress had tracked before. She would not be hard to find again. D`Nar called R`Lith to her.

"Open a portal to New Tanaan." Said the Teir`Dal maiden.

"As you wish M'Lady." Replied the old wizard. R'Lith made a few gestures and mumbled an incantation. A portal opened and the two of them stepped through it.

Alsurin · Post by **Alsurin** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:47 am

A whisper of released mana jolted Alsurin from a light doze. How long had he been asleep? The conjurer frowned, reaching tendrils of his awareness the grove in search of the disturbance. Strange, it must have been Sineliniel, wherever she had run off to. He shook his head and held a hand out towards the fire, expression now shifting to one of concentration.

The normally erratic shifting of flame paused, as if to listen. Slowly a discernible rhythm shivered throughout its undulation, dancing to a tune only the magus could hear. He beckoned and a tongue of fire reached out tentatively, nearly touching his hand. A gesture, and it separated like the many threads of a rope. Suddenly, as if the music had quickened its pace, the threads began to weave themselves in earnest under direction of the puppeteer. Tracings of stars expanded to become the whirring orbits of celestial bodies, which in turn dissolved into landscapes, horses thundering across a plain, then all was molded together into the features of an old woman, the burning visage gazing upon some mystery seen only to her and the painter. She closed her eyes and melted back into the dance of flaming lines. The summoner continued to craft his shifting tapestry, pictures and stories woven in seconds before unblinking eyes. The fingers of his free hand kept time, taping against a vial held with his palm, filled with the scarlet residue of a goblet now upon the table, sparkling clean.

Stormfollower · Post by **Stormfollower** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:50 am

He had remained calm throughout the nights proceedings, but his soul churned in turmoil still. He kept vigil by the fire his one good eye remained closed to give his body rest yet the clouded eye peered deep into the spirit realm for answers.
He had always known Jetamio held great power within her But how could it be as she claimed.. a cure for this poor retch and perhaps others like him? The spirits could not say. Would the night pass as she claimed with the elf cured of the curse or had this power left her with her last transformation? Much was left unanswered about that time. When those sanguin lords had taken her, held and killed her. ANd what of her return ..who was he to question mirracles? He had even chastised poor Tortha for his lack of beleif. But how had she returned, to assume her present form what force had compelled her back from beyond. The spirits would not say.
He watched over his son. Tortha would know well the tale of the moon of the Wendago, from his upbringing when Stormfollower sent him for tutalage back to his northron tribes to stay with Stormfollowers uncle Oxbalm after Jetamios murder. He would have been told of that time long ago when an entire village was set apon by these human eating creatures, creatures who would leave half eaten some of thier prey who themselves would be overcome with the "Wendago sickness" and begin to eat thier own kin. During a time of a night of thirty days, a time that comes each year in the high north, they had set ablaze the village when thier feast was done to hide thier existance. But one human had escaped... one who had told the tale. When the other villages found out the years of the Wendago hunting had begun. Long terrible years of hunting these creatures, some former kin some missing ancestors still walking after ceturies thought dead. No longer a hidden threat they hunted these creatures. Creatures who could become like the wind were not easily hunted. Yet one by one this antient scorge was taken out. One by one the families were brought to peace. And though much was tried no shaman could cure this ill. How could you cure such craven desires? A malady of the mind that must have been seeded deep in the core of the primordial goo. The germ of some faceless nameless, formless pre-god evil. Those years were marked as the worst in ancestral memory.
Jetamio had cured one of these vampires before, so she said. But Stormfollower knew well that sometimes when the cure seams too much an ordeal the malady will hide itself instead. Instantly giving the appearance of complete health. Wa Jetamios gift a cure or a cover? The sword had flashed brighter than day. "Trust me" she had said... To walk amoungst the living unnoticed... the Wendago had mastered the art. The spirits whispered to each other too softly for him to hear.
He kept his seat and held his tongue. The morning would bring answers if the spirits still held thier secrets.

Gilliadson · Post by **Gilliadson** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 4:01 am

The two wolves ran around the Commonlands playing together until the shout of the Lady Bard reached their ears.

"Dinner will be ready soon you two!" The two wolves ran to the estate and sat at the entrance looking the guards over for a few moments. The guards were the finest knights that the Hall of Truth had to offer. These were the elite of the corp. They were Shadowbane Knights. These men had gone through the most rigorous testing and training that any Human can bear for the honor of wearing the Crimson and Silver armor.

"You two better shrug off that form before you enter the House, Master Gilliadson and Mistress Willa." Said one of the guards. The two wolves cast off their enchantments to reveal a young brown-haired Human lad and an elderly grey-haired Halfling Druid with piercing green eyes. The boy walked up and inspected the two guards and noticed that their armors were perfect. One day Gilliadson would be the leader of men like these.

Gilliadson and Willa walked to the house and prepared for dinner.

The Scene shifted...

Gilliadson could see the smoke rising in the distance. It looked like much more smoke than what would have come from their Chimney. Sir Gilliad kicked the sides of his mount gently to spur her on faster. The boy followed close behind on his steed. They arrived at the smoldering ruins of their estate to find Mistress Willa weeping beside the body of Lady Alani, the boy's mother. All the rest of the guards and house servants were dead as well as a very large number of blue-skinned Teir`Dal. The lad slid off of his steed and ran to his mother's body and cradled her head in his arms. Willa was still weeping as she put her arms around the boy and held him close.

"I am so sorry M'Lords." Started the grief-stricken Halfling. "We fought as hard as we could but there were just too many of them. M'Lady wanted you both to have these." Willa handed each of them an intricately designed box with a rune engraved into the top of each. Gilliadson opened his box and saw a bunch of wires and little gizmos as well as a pulsing mana battery. "Just trace the rune on top with your finger." said the Halfling in between sobs. Gilliadson did so and a melody emanated from the box. The music was soothing and gave him comfort. As the melody played Willa ceased her crying feeling comfort herself.

The scene shifted again and Willa was on a bed in one of the rooms in the Temple of Marr. The Druid's life was slowly fading from the poison that she had been given after the attack on the estate. The music from the three boxes intertwined into a melody that gave them all peace. Willa smiled and then laughed until her last breath.

One by one the faces of all who Gilliadson had ever loved passed before his vision. Alani, his mother... Gilliad, his father... Willanaome... Marial, his Shelera... Sineliniel... Some had passed on and others were still on this side of eternity. He saw another form in his vision. The form of a woman but he could not make out her features. A melody entered his dream. The melody of his box and it slowly drew him awake.

The Knight sat up in his bed. It was still a couple of hours before sunrise. Gilliadson looked over at the bed that his Leofa had taken and saw that she was not in it. Gilliadson dressed quickly and walked downstairs to find everyone in the main room except for Sineliniel and Cara. Gilliadson looked questioningly at Fluffy.

"Where did Sineliniel go?" The Human asked to all that were awake still.

Jetamio · Post by **Jetamio** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:09 pm

Jetamio jumped when the Elementalist touched her and placed a small music box in her hand. She looked at it a moment then up at Sineliniel only to find her leaving the building. The Druid looked around the room again, her gaze landing finally on Stormfollower. He wasn't looking at her, but she could feel his doubt of her.
But who could blame him really? Any of them? By her own doing she had kept them at a slight distance, not letting people get too close lest they learn too much. But he loved her, and she him. Surely he had a right to know who he had married and birthed his son.
She stood up slowly so as to not startle them all and looked out the window. The moon was still high, the night only half gone. Zeph was alive now, she could sense his lifeforce, the beat of his heart, his breathing. He still slept deeply as the last of the curse was purged from his body. She need not worry for him now.
The night was calm, and the water flat as a mirror under the pale moon. She turned away from the window and spoke, to all of them though she mostly watched her husband.

"The truth has the power to make one free" she said, repeating an earlier comment. "Perhaps now is the time to put that theory to the test." She said no more, saying only enough to make the curious types follow her outside to the pool. All the time the music box stayed in her hand, and although it was closed, its music sang to her in her mind.

Alsurin · Post by **Alsurin** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:11 pm

Alsurin pondered the bird of woven flame perched on his finger for a long moment before setting the fire to spin anew. "Ah you have awakened, I believe she left," he glanced at his companions for confirmation," though i was asleep and thus not certain. "Strange that she would travel without
her servant."

The drakkin watched Jetamio leave with an indiscernible expression. He knew, now at least. Not all had been answered of course, but enough, more then enough. Still, who could say? He paused the dance of fancies and clenched a fist, forcing will and intent upon the ether. Alsurin opened his hand to send mystic eye streaking after the Feir'dal, its form trailing threads of glimmering sorcery like an eerie comet. The summoner shrugged, and let the fire have its well earned rest. "It would also seem that she also left something with Jetamio, yes?"